Political Repression

World

Bangladesh Court Sentences Ex-PM Hasina to Decade in Prison, UK MP Niece Also Convicted in Land Scandal

A special anti-corruption court in Dhaka has delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years imprisonment and her British lawmaker niece to four years over illicit land allocations in a flagship housing project. The ruling intensifies the political turbulence ahead of crucial elections.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Shutdown Showdown: Speaker Johnson Navigates ICE Debate and Funding Impasse

With a partial government shutdown underway, House Speaker Mike Johnson confronts a dual crisis: securing passage of a federal funding package and mediating an intensifying political battle over the scope and tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

Feb 2, 2026

World

A New Axis Emerges: Meloni and Merz Forge Conservative Alliance, Diminishing Macron's Role in EU Leadership

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have signed a landmark partnership pact in Rome, signaling a potential shift in the European Union's traditional Franco-German power center. The accord, focusing on defense, migration, and trade, comes as France grapples with political instability and a weakened presidency.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Thai Heartland Reckoning: Rural Voters Rethink Loyalties, Threatening Pheu Thai's Populist Dominance

In Thailand's crucial northeast, a profound political realignment is underway. Farmers, disillusioned by unmet promises and economic hardship, are abandoning decades of party loyalty to back individual candidates, testing the foundations of the Shinawatra family's political machine ahead of pivotal elections.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Thailand's Election: A Three-Way Battle for the Future

As Thailand heads to the polls, three major parties offer starkly different visions for the nation's path forward, from populist subsidies to structural reforms, setting the stage for a pivotal political contest.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Capgemini Divests U.S. Unit Amid Scrutiny Over ICE Software Contract

French IT giant Capgemini moves to sell its U.S. government solutions subsidiary following political and internal pressure over its contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as public debate intensifies around tech's role in immigration enforcement.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Germany's Gold Dilemma: Should Berlin Repatriate Its $100 Billion Reserves from the U.S.?

As transatlantic tensions simmer, a renewed push to bring home Germany's gold stored in New York vaults sparks debate over financial security, political symbolism, and Cold War-era trust.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Philippine VP Sara Duterte Hit with Fresh Impeachment Complaints Amid 2028 Election Speculation

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, a leading contender for the 2028 presidency, faces renewed impeachment efforts filed by civil society groups. The complaints allege corruption and abuse of public trust, deepening the political rift with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Weekend Rundown: Boy, 5, Released from Immigration Custody as Broader Policy Battle Rages On

A five-year-old boy, whose detention made him a symbol of U.S. immigration enforcement, has been released with his father. Their case highlights the ongoing political stalemate over border policy and government funding, with a partial shutdown looming.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

JPMorgan Faces Dual Fronts: Trump Lawsuit and Crypto Clash Amplify Regulatory Scrutiny

JPMorgan Chase confronts heightened regulatory and political pressure as a lawsuit from former President Donald Trump alleges biased account closures, while CEO Jamie Dimon's public spat with Coinbase underscores the intensifying battle between traditional banks and crypto platforms for customer funds.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Bitcoin's Weekend Plunge Leaves a Historic Futures Gap as Macro Fears Trigger $5.4 Billion Deleveraging

A confluence of geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic pressures sparked a broad crypto market rout over the weekend, creating one of Bitcoin's largest CME futures gaps on record and wiping out over $5.4 billion in leveraged positions.

Feb 2, 2026

World

From Doubt to Data: How Western Narratives Initially Undermined Gaza's Death Toll

As Israel now acknowledges over 70,000 killed in Gaza, rights advocates argue that early Western political and media skepticism dehumanized Palestinians and delayed a full reckoning with the war's human cost.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Slovak Security Adviser Steps Down Amid Epstein Email Fallout, Denies Misconduct

Slovakia’s top national security adviser has resigned following the release of newly unsealed court documents linking him to email exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein. The adviser denies any wrongdoing, stating the move aims to shield the prime minister from political fallout.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Utah Banker Who Built a Wall: Marriner Eccles and the Battle for Fed Independence

As political pressure on the Federal Reserve intensifies, the legacy of Marriner Eccles—the Utah banker who architected its modern independence—offers a crucial lesson. A BYU expert explains why shielding monetary policy from politics remains vital for economic stability.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Three Undervalued Small-Caps Shine in a Shifting Middle Eastern Market

As regional markets adjust to easing geopolitical pressures, a closer look reveals resilient performers. We analyze three small-cap stocks—R.A.K. Ceramics, TALCO Industrial, and Emilia Development—that are navigating the current volatility with strong fundamentals and potential for growth.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Costa Rica Votes Amid Security Crisis, Populist Party Seeks to Consolidate Power

Voters head to the polls in Costa Rica, with the ruling right-wing populist party aiming to secure a decisive mandate and a legislative supermajority to tackle record violence and political gridlock.

Feb 2, 2026

World

DOJ Official Signals End of Road for New Epstein Charges Despite Document Flood

A senior Justice Department official has indicated that the recent massive release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents is unlikely to lead to new federal prosecutions, stating that the trove of 'horrible photographs' and emails does not itself constitute prosecutable evidence, even as the revelations trigger political fallout abroad.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Costa Rica Votes Amidst Rising Crime and Disillusionment: A Nation's Social Fabric at a Crossroads

As Costa Ricans cast their ballots this Sunday, the election is defined by unprecedented security fears, economic inequality, and widespread political disenchantment, challenging the country's long-held identity as a peaceful and stable democracy.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Royal Rift: PM Starmer Breaks Protocol, Urges Prince Andrew to Cooperate with U.S. Epstein Probe

In a striking departure from diplomatic norms, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has publicly called on the disgraced Duke of York to provide evidence to the U.S. Congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The intervention signals a collapse of the traditional political shield around the monarchy and intensifies legal and reputational pressures on Andrew.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Gold and Silver Extend Slide as Fed Speculation Rattles Markets

Precious metals extended losses in Asian trading Monday, following a sharp sell-off triggered by speculation over a more hawkish Federal Reserve leadership. Despite the pullback, both gold and silver remain significantly higher for the year, supported by enduring central bank demand and geopolitical uncertainty.

Feb 2, 2026